Rocky LaRose and Ray Judd coached the 1980 softball team that included Nan Barash and Jayne Hancock (pictured middle row, third and fourth from the left).

Rocky LaRose Scholarship Endowment

Rock Solid: Former UA softball players team up to honor their friend, Athletics Department icon
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Rocky LaRose has been a fixture at The University of Arizona for more than 30 years, from her time as a softball player to her current role as interim athletic director. Two longtime friends are committed to ensuring the mark she’s made on Arizona Athletics is forever remembered.

Former UA softball players Nan Barash and Jayne Hancock, who played for LaRose in the 80s, made the lead gifts for the Rocky LaRose Softball Scholarship Endowment. Barash donated $50,000 and Hancock added $25,000 to the endowment fund that will serve as an enduring tribute to their friend while providing support for future Wildcats.

“Rocky has been good to so many people at the UA and I was one of them,” said Barash, a pitcher on the 1980 UA softball team. “I felt she should be honored.”

For Hancock the endowment also is a way to honor a childhood friend. “Rocky and I knew each other in the first grade,” Hancock said. “We have had a lifelong friendship, not only growing up together, but also playing softball together for many, many years.”

Barash believes LaRose earned the honor of having a scholarship named after her a hundred times over. “She’s a person who’s always done good for others,” Barash said. “Everybody has a Rocky story. If you’ve been a part of Arizona Athletics, Rocky LaRose has touched your life.”

Barash and Hancock hope their gifts will inspire other former student-athletes and friends of the program to contribute to raising funds for the endowment.

“She’s always been there for both male and female athletes,” Barash said. “If Rocky did something to help you, honor her by adding your gift and name to Rocky’s Roster today.”